Football season is officially back in Southwest Florida as high school teams hit the practice fields for the first day of preseason practice. This marks the beginning of the 2025 high school football season, and excitement filled the air as teams prepared for the upcoming games.
In Charlotte County, players and coaches at Charlotte High School were particularly eager to return to the field. The Fighting Tarpons, returning with 17 starters from last year's squad, are ready to improve on their playoff performance after falling to Fort Myers in overtime.
"As soon as I walked out, I walked out of the locker room and I started yelling. Not even words. I was just yelling. All the energy coming out," said Trent Curliss.
Coach Mentzer reflected on last year's experiences, saying, "Last year was learning cause I had so many young guys. So I honestly bring back the whole team. So taking that loss going into overtime, the group now knows what it takes to finish."
"For a lot of our guys, we don't want that to happen again this year," added Curliss.
Meanwhile, Lemon Bay High School is entering its second year under head coach Jason Mensing. The team only won one game last year, hindered by injuries, but the younger players gained valuable experience.
"Even in the spring, we could see we're way ahead of where we were and not because of necessarily just doing things for the second time but because they had so many live playing reps," said Mensing.
Senior quarterback Drew Moorman is looking forward to his final season.
"Just excited. I grew up with a majority of these guys. Looking to do the best we can," said Moorman.
Lemon Bay is set to face Charlotte in Week 0 on August 15, as both teams gear up for the regular season.